The Yellowjackets football program won convincingly in Saturday’s homecoming game against the Salve Regina University (SRU) Seahawks, improving their record to 3-0.
UR won the coin toss and elected to play defense on the first drive, which proved fruitful as they stifled the Seahawks, giving up only 15 yards on the first drive. UR junior Andy Talone (#10) blocked SRU’s punt, which was recovered by UR’s senior J.B. Mills (#14), giving the Yellowjackets favorable field position on SRU’s 11-yard line.
The Seahawks mounted a spirited defense in the red zone, however, and forced UR to kick a 21-yard field goal, which they missed.
SRU’s next drive was similarly unsuccessful as they were unable to achieve a first down and were forced to punt the ball to the UR 37-yard line. After a five-yard penalty due to an illegal formation on SRU’s part, UR started their drive from their 42-yard line. In seven plays, UR was able to advance the ball to SRU’s 28-yard line, but turned the ball over after an incomplete pass on fourth down and five.
UR again smothered SRU’s offense on the following drive, forcing them to punt after they lost six yards due to a penalty and failed rushing attempt.
A 50-yard punt gave the Yellowjackets the ball at their own 15-yard line. Despite a 34-yard completion from senior quarterback Ryan Rose (#9) to graduate student wide receiver Nick Wamp (#82), UR again had to punt.
After forcing another punt from the Seahawks, UR began its first scoring drive of 66 yards, culminating in a seven-yard rushing touchdown from junior running back Jay Zheng (#24). UR senior kicker Jordan Laudani (#97) successfully converted the extra point from the SRU 20-yard line.
After stopping the Seahawks yet again, UR scored on an 11-play, 89-yard marathon of a drive. The Yellowjackets used a combined running and passing attack to push the ball down the field, ending in Rose running eight yards into the SRU endzone on first and goal. Laudani once again scored the extra point.
Regaining possession with only 1:48 left in the half, SRU advanced down the field in less than a minute before junior Jordy Tawa (#29) prevented a scoring opportunity by intercepting the ball in the endzone. UR and SRU were unable to score before halftime as UR was forced to punt the ball with five seconds left.
After UR received possession of the ball to start the third quarter, they were unable to mount substantial offense and punted after being unable to advance ten yards in three plays. SRU followed suit and punted after a similar result. For the next two drives, each team’s offense enjoyed slightly more success, although neither scored.
UR received the ball on their 43-yard line after forcing a turnover on downs due to an incomplete pass. Their drive lasted between quarters, although it also ended on a turnover on downs.
SRU’s next drive was initially successful as they advanced the ball all the way to UR’s 41-yard line, before junior linebacker Daniel Santos (#18) intercepted a pass and returned it 65 yards for a pick six, his second interception in three games played this year. Laudani converted the extra point.
Junior defensive back Judah Thomas (#23) had his second interception in three games when he cut SRU’s drive short on the first play when he intercepted a bomb coming from the SRU 47-yard line at UR’s 10-yard line. Effective rushing efforts from graduate student Daniel Papantonis (#1), first-year Creighton Wise (#13), and junior Aidan Papantonis (#4) advanced the ball 54 yards from the UR 46-yard line to the SRU endzone. Laudani’s extra point made it 28-0.
SRU responded in kind with a 73-yard scoring drive. UR’s senior J.T. Monahan (#55) blocked their extra point.
For the final 2:20 of the game, UR played it safe by running the ball until the clock ran out.
UR will next play University of New England at Fauver Stadium on Saturday.
